There were
twelve great Alvars. They were devotees of God Vishnu. They were born in Tamil Nadu. They
sang of God Vishnu. These songs are collected in a book called Divya Prabandham or divine
collection. The songs are four thousand in number.

The foremost among the Alvars was Nammalvar. The word
Nam means our own. It is a mark of the love and regard people felt
for Him.

He was born five thousand years ago at a place called
Tirunagari on the banks of the river Tamraparni in Tamil Nadu. It is now called
Alvar-Tirunagari. Nammalvars father was a small chieftain of the place. His name was
Kariyar. His mother was Udaiya Nangaiyar.